Laundry marking machine



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Sept. 4, 1945. w.,.:. KEUPER LAUNDRY MARKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 24, 1942 6 Sheets$heet 6 jwuc/wkw WILLIAM J. UPER lUh THIN l HYUA Patented Sept. 4, 1945 Search Room LAUNDRY MARKING MACHINE William J. Keuper, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The National Marking Machine Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 24, 1942, Serial No. 470,052

23 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in laundry marking machines and the principal object thereof is to provide an improved machine of simple, compact and inexpensive construction, by means of which a number of identifying characters may be printed upon articles to be laundered, or other material, held upon the platen of the machine by the operator.

A further object of my invention is to provide a laundry marking machine having a platen, normally accessible at the front of the machine, upon which an operator may hold the material to be marked, and which is rockable from its normal position to a printing position adjacent selected printing type and, thereafter, moves toward the type to carry the material held thereon against said type and take an imprint therefrom.

Another object of my invention is to provide a laundry marking machine having a platen, normally accessible at the front of the machine, upon which the material to be marked is held by the operator, which platen may be rocked from normal position to a printing position and is automatically projected toward the selected type, when it reaches printing position, to carry material held on the platen against said type and take an imprint therefrom.

A further object of my invention is to provide a laundry marking machine having a platen, normally accessible at the front of the machine, on which the operator may hold the material to be marked, which platen is rockable from normal to printing position and back, together with means opposing the initial movement of the platen from normal position and effective, as the platen nears printing position, to assist and complete such movement.

Another object of my invention is to provide such a laundry marking machine with means, automatically actuated by the arrival of the platen at printing position, for projecting the platen toward the type to take an imprint therefrom upon material held upon said platen by the operator.

Another object of my invention is to provide a laundry marking machine of the type described with automatic means for repeatedly projecting the platen toward and retra "ting it from the selected type, so that material, held on the platen by the operator, is repeated,- pressed against the selected type to take an imprint threfrom.

Another object of my invention is to provide a laundry marking machine of the character de scribed which has automatic means for projecting the platen toward the selected type, to carry material held thereon against said type, when the platen arrives in printing position, and in which safety control means are provided in the platen handles, so that the platen-projecting mechanism cannot work, unless said safety control means are engaged and operated by the hands of the operator, thus insuring that his hands will not be caught between the platen and the type.

A further object of my invention is to provide a laundry marking machine having a platen, upon which the operator may hold the material to be marked, and rockable from a normal position to a printing position, together with fluid pressure means for projecting the platen toward selected type, and safety means carried by the platen for controlling the admission of fluid pressure to the platen-projecting mechanism.

Another object of my invention is to provide a laundry marking machine having a platencarrier, rockable from a normal position to a printing position, a platen, upon which the material to be marked is held by the operator, and an inking device, both carried by the rockable platen-carrier, and so arranged that the inking device is moved over the selected type as the platen-carrier is rocked from normal to printing position, together with means which permit the rocking of the platen-carrier away from normal position to an inspection position, in which the inking device may be filled, adjusted, or removed.

Further objects, and objects relating to details of construction and economies of operation, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow. In one instance, I have accomplished the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. My invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the appended claims. A structure constituting a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a laundry marking machine embodying my invention, parts of the base, the casing, and certain of the shafts, being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the platen-carrier, platen and inking de vice, a portion of the latter being shown in section, these parts being shown in the position they occupy when the platen is projected against the selected type.

Fig. 3 is a detail, sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail, sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view, taken in a plane at right angles to the plane of Fig. 3, and showing the platen-carrier in printing position.

Fig. 6 is a detail, fragmentary view, in side elevation, showing the platen in printing position,

valves and connections of the fluid pressure system for projecting the platen.

Fig. 8 is a detail, sectional view illustrating the valve mechanism I shown in the diagram, Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a detail, sectional view illustrating the valve mechanism I 04 shown in the diagram, Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view, in side elevation, of the platen-carrier, platen, inking device, and platen-projecting mechanism of a modified form of my invention, embodying safety control buttons in the handles of the platen.

Fig. 11 is a detail, sectional view, taken on the line ||I I, of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a detail, sectional view, taken on the line |2|2, of Fig. 10, and

Fig. 13 is a sectional view through the platen, taken on the line |3|3 of Fig. 11.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the arrows at the ends of the section lines.

In general, my improved laundry marking machine comprises a number of shiftable type-carriers, each carrying a plurality of printing type, means for shifting the type-carriers to bring selected type to printing position, a platen upon which an operator may hold the material to be marked, means for rocking the platen from a normal position, in front of the machine, to printing position, and means for automatically moving the platen to carry the material thereon against the faces of the selected type to take an imprint therefrom. The machine includes a platen-carrier, which is rockable from normal position to printing position, and back. This platen-carrier supports the platen, upon which the operator holds the material to be marked, and an inking device, the latter being so mounted that, as the platencarrier moves from normal to printing position, the inking device moves over the faces of the selected type to ink the same. The movement of the rockable platen-carrier is controlled by a snapaction spring mechanism, which opposes the initial movement of the platen-carrier from normal position toward printing position, but, as the platen-carrier nears printing position, acts to assist and complete that movement. Conversely, this snap-action mechanism first opposes the movement of the platen-carrier from printing position and, then, assists and completes the movement to normal position. When the platen-carrier reaches printing position, a fluid pressure mechanism is actuated automatically, which projects the platen toward the selected type to carry the material held on the platen against the type and take an imprint therefrom. This fluid pressure mechanism is such that, while the platen-carrier remains in printing position, the platen is repeatedly projected toward and retracted from the type so as to make an imprint from the type, on the material held on the platen, by repeated hammer-likg' blows. Means are provided for regulating the ,timing of these hammer-like blows.

To facilitate inspection of the inking device, the removal or adjustment thereof, or the filling of the ink reservoir with a fresh supply of ink, suitable devices are provided which permit the operator to swing the platen-carrier forwardly from normal position, so that the inking device will be readily accessible.

A modified form of my invention includes a safety feature consisting of a plurality of depressible buttons, in the handles of the platen, operating valves which control the passage of f uid pressure to the platen-projecting mechanism. These buttons are so located that they may be depressed by the hands of the operator, while he is holding the material to be marked on the platen, and, unless these buttons are depressed, the fluid pressure cannot pass to the platen-projecting mechanism to operate the latter and project the platen toward the type. This safety feature makes sure that the hands of the operator will be in such position that they will not be caught between the platen and the selected type in the printing operation.

Referring to the numbered parts of the drawings, my improved laundry marking machine includes a plurality of type-carriers, printed type carried thereby, and means for shifting said typecarriers to bring selected type to the printing line, one form of this mechanism being shown in Fig. 1, although various other forms of type-carriers and means for operating them may be used. The machine includes a casing I0 carrying a transverse shaft I4, on which a plurality of type-carrying wheels II are journaled. A plurality of printing type I2 are carried on the periphery of each of these type-carrying wheels. To each type-carrying wheel I I, there is secured a gear I3, which meshes with a corresponding toothed segment I5 journaled on a transverse shaft I6. To each of these segments, there is secured an operating lever H, which projects through a corresponding slot I9 in casing I0 and has, at its outer end, a handle I8, by means of which the lever may be shifted within the limits of the slot I9. On the interior of easing I0, adjacent each slot I9, there is a toothed rack 2| for engagement by a detent 22, carried by the lever H, the toothed outer end of which detent is urged toward the rack 2| by spring 23. Suitable indicia. 20, corresponding to the characters on the printing type I2, are arranged adjacent to each slot I9, to facilitate the setting of levers I! by the operator. It will be obvious that, as a lever I1 is moved along its slot I9 to a point opposite the index representing a certain character, gear I3 and type-carrying wheel II will be rotated to bring a corresponding type to printing, position. Detents 22 and racks 2| serve to align the selected type at the printing line. A number of type carrying wheels II, gears I3, segments l5, levers I1 and slots I9 are provided, the number of sets of these elements depending upon the number of characters in the marks which the machine is to print. For instance, I have provided eight sets of these elements to enable the machine to print an identifying mark consisting of eight characters.

Upon the base 29 of the machine, there is provided a bracket 30, in which there is mounted a stub shaft 3|, extending through the bracket and secured thereto by a pin 32. The platen-carrier 64 is provided with a. pair of spaced ears 33, journaled on the projecting ends of stub shaft 3|, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In these ears 33, there are formed sockets 34, which receive the reduced lower ends 35 of posts 36, said reduced ends bein secured in the sockets by pins 31. The posts 36 extend through and are secured to a bottom plate 38. Spaced from this bottom plate is a top plate 40 having openings which receive the reduced upper ends 39 of the posts 36, the latter being secured in the top plate 40 by the pins 4|. Cylinder 42 is secured in place between the bottom plate 38 and the top plate 40, and a piston 43 works in cylinder 42. Piston 43 is mounted on the reduced portion 44 of a piston rod 46, which is slidable in a bore 5| in the top plate 40. Piston 43 is secured to piston rod 46 by means of a nut 45, screwed on the lower end thereof. A port 41 is formed in the bottom plate 38, through which fluid pressure may. be admitted to cylinder 42 below piston 43, by the connections to be described later. Piston 43 is normally forced toward the bottom plate 38 by a spring 48 housed within cylinder 42, the upper end of the spring being received in the annular recess 49, formed in the lower surface of the top plate 40, while the lower end of the spring is received in an annular recess 50, formed in the top face of piston 43. Thus, spring 48 tends to move piston 43 toward bottom plate 38, whle fluid pressure admitted through port 41 tends to move said piston toward top plate 40, in opposition to spring 48.

The upper end of piston rod 46 has a threaded socket 52 formed therein, into which is screwed a stud 53, projecting downwardly from a bracket 54, which normally rests on the upper surface of top plate 48. When p'ston 43 is moved upwardly against the pressure of spring 48, the piston rod 46 and bracket 54 will be moved upwardly, with respect to top plate 48. Bracket 54 has a pair of spaced cars 55 received within spaced recesses 56, formed in the platen 51. The platen is guided in its movements with respect to the platen-carr'er by means of studs II5, screwed into sockets H4 in platen 51, and passing through holes I IS in t p plate 40, as shown in Fig. 4. Wooden handles 59 are mounted on opposite ends of platen 51, and secured thereto by a rod 58 extending longitudinally through the handles, through a bore in platen 51, and through openings formed in the spaced cars 55 of bracket 54, and nuts 60 screwed on the ends of rod 58. A platen insert 6|,of resilient material, is mounted on the top surface of platen 51, in position to yieldingly press material held upon said platen insert against the faces of the selected type, in tak ng an impression therefrom. The cover 62 s carried by the platen and houses the platen-carrier and the platen-projecting mechanism. As shown in Fig. 2, a portion of the rear wall of the housing is bent upwardly at 63, forming a guard which prevents clothes. or other material held upon the platen, from being entangled in the machine.

The body portion of the platen-carrier 64 is also provided with a pair of sockets 65, as shown in Fig. 3, which receive the lower ends of posts 66. The upper ends of these posts are connected to bosses 61 of an inking device 68, which includes an inking roller 69, an ink reservoir and a wick 1|, by which ink is directed from the ink reservoir to the surface of the inking roller. The inking device 68 is so mounted on the platencarrier, with respect to the platen 6|, that, when the platen-carrier is in normal position, the inking roller 69 is slightly in front of the selected type and the platen is accessible to the operator at the front of the machine. When the platencarrier is rocked from normal to printing position, in which the platen is opposite the selected type, the inking roller 69 rolls over the faces of the selected type, applying ink thereto, and reaches the position shown in Fig. 2.

A cross bar 14 is mounted on the posts 66, being secured thereto by pins 15, and an adjusting screw 16 passes through an opening in said cross bar and screws into a threaded socket 19 formed in the body of the platen-carrier 64. The head 11 of the adjusting screw engages the top surface of the bar 14, while a washer 18, mounted on the adjusting screw and pinned thereto, en-

. gages the lower surface of said cross bar, so that Search Room the adjusting screw is revoluble in the cross bar but held against longitudinal movement with respect thereto. By screwing the adjusting screw into and out of the socket 19 in the platencarrier, the inking device can be adjusted with respect thereto, to regulate the contact of inking roller 69 with the faces of the selected type. A lock nut 88, threaded on the adjusting screw and engaging the top surface of the platen-carrier 64, serves to lock the adjusting screw in its positions of adjustment.

Mounted on base 29 is a pair of spaced brackets 8|. In each of these brackets, a U-shaped member 83 is journaled on a trunnion 82. A shoulder 84 on each U-shaped member 83 engages the base of the corresponding bracket 8|, as shown in Fig. 2, to limit the movement of said U-shaped member, in one direction, with respect to said bracket. Each U-shaped member 83 carries a guide 86, pivotally mounted therein by means of the pivots 85. In each of these guides 86 there is slidably mounted a rod 81, the forward end of which is pivotally connected by pivot 88 to ears rojecting rearwardly from the platencarrier. The rear end of each rod 81 has an enlarged head 90 adapted to engage the rear end of the corresponding guide 86, to limit the movement of the rod with respect to said guide, in one direction. On each rod 81, there is mounted a spring 9|, interposed between the front end of the guide 86 and a shoulder 92 on the rod. When the platen-carrier is in the normal position shown in Fig. 1, the springs 9| resist movement of the platen-carrier from normal toward printing position, but, as the platen-carrier is rocked about the axis of shaft 3|, to carry the platen from normal to printing position, springs 9| are compressed until the axis of. pivot 88 crosses the line connecting the axes of pivots 85 and shaft 3|, and, thereafter, springs 9| expand and force the platen-carrier to complete its movement to the full printing position. Thus, the parts just described constitute a spring snap-action or toggle mechanism, which yieldingly opposes initial movement of the platen-carrier from printing position, but serves, as the platen-carrier nears printing position, to complete its movement to that position. When the platen-carrier is in printing position. springs 9| oppose movement thereof from that position, until the platencarrier is rocked sufficiently to carry pivots 88 past dead center, and, thereafter, the springs move the platen-carrier to normal position. Movement of the platen-carrier toward printing position is limited by engagement of the side thereof with a valve mechanism I04, to be described later, which thus determines the printing position of the platen-carrier.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 12, each of the U-shaped members 83 is provided with shoulders 93 to be engaged by detent arms 94, projecting forwardly and upwardly from a member 94 (Fig. 12), journaled on the pivot shaft 95, which is carried by brackets 96 mounted on base 29. Springs 91, coiled around shaft and each having one end secured to said shaft and the other end hooked over an adjacent detent arm 94. tend to swing said detent arms to positions where they will engage the shoulders 93, and prevent rocking of the U-shaped members 83 about their pivots 82. Member 94' has a handle 98 extending rearwardly therefrom and, by pressing down on handle 98, the detent arms 94 can be swung counter-clockwise, against the tension of springs 91, to remove them from engagement with shoulders 93. When this has been done, the U-shaped members 83 can swing clockwise about pivots 82. This permits one to swing the platen-carrier clockwise about axis 3| from the position shown in Fig. 1, so as to move the inking device 68 to a position in which it can be inspected, adjusted, filled with ink or, if need be, removed from the platen-carrier. After this has been done, the platen-carrier can be swung counter-clockwise until detent arms 94 engage shoulders 93, whereupon the U-shaped members 83 will be retained in normal position.

As shown in Fig. 1, in the normal position of the platen-carrier, the platen is accessible at the front of the machine so that the operator may place material to be marked thereon, and hold it upon the platen while grasping the handles 59. He, then, pushes rearwardly on the platen, against the pressure of springs 9|, until this spring toggle mechanism acts to complete the movement of the platen-carrier to printing position. This carries the platen, and the material held thereon by the operator, opposite the faces of the selected printing type to the position shown in Fig. 6. It will be noted that the platen is spaced from the selected type, in this position. When the platen-carrier reaches printing position, automatic mechanism becomes effective to admit fluid pressure to cylinder 42, below piston 43, so as to move the platen upwardly against the pressure of spring 48, thus carrying the material held on the platen against the faces of the selected type to take an imprint therefrom.

In Fig. 7, I have shown diagrammatically the fluid pressure connections to the mechanism for projecting the platen to carry the material thereon against the selected type. A line 99, connected with a source of fluid pressure (not shown), is connected to the inlet of a normallyopen three-way valve I00, which has an exhaust connection IOI to the atmosphere and an outlet pipe I02 leading to the valve I04. The valve I includes a spring-pressed button I03. In the normal position, pipe 99 is connected to pipe I02, so that communication is established from the source of fluid pressure to the inlet of valve I04, but, when the spring-pressed button I03 is depressed, pipe 99 is cut off from pipe I02 and the latter is connected to the exhaust passage IOI leading to the atmosphere. Except for the fact that it is a normally-open valve, whereas valve I 04 is a normally-closed valve, valve I 00 is of much the same construction as valve I04,

and, since the latter will be described in detail, I do not deem it necessary to repeat that de-- scription for valve I 00.

As shown in Fig. '1, pipe I02 is connected to the inlet of valve I04, the details of which are shown in Fig. 9. Valve I04 has an exhaust passage I05 and an outlet passage which connects to pipe I 01, leading to the port 41 through which fluid pressure is admitted to cylinder 42 below the piston 43, as previously described. Valve I04 includes a spring-pressed button I06. In the normal position, with this button I06 projecting, pipe I02 is cut ofi from pipe I01, and the latter is connected to the exhaust passage I05. When the button I06 is depressed, pipe I02 is connected to pipe I01, and the latter is cut off from the exhaust passage to the atmosphere.

Referring to Fig. 9, the body of valve I04 includes an annular recess II1, which is connected by inlet passage II8 to pipe I02. The valve body is also provided with an annular recess I I9, which is connected by outlet passage I20 to the pipe I01. The body of valve I04 has a transverse bore I20, having an internal shoulder I22, against which one end of a sleeve I2I is seated. This sleeve is held in its position by a nut I23, screwed into the enlarged upper end of the bore. Sleeve I2I has an internal shoulder against which a washer I24 is seated The rod I25 is slidably mounted in this washer and carries a pair of spaced pistons, I26 and I21, which work within the sleeve I2I. These pistons are spaced by means of a sleeve I28 and held in position by nut I28, screwed on the lower end of rod 125, The upper end of the rod is screwed into the button I06, which is slidably mounted in a recess in nut I23, and a spring I29, interposed between the button and the washer I24, normally projects this button from the recess, as shown in Fig. 9. Ports I30 are provided in sleeve I2I, in line with the annular recess H1, and similar ports I3I are provided in line with the annular recess II9. In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 9, the annular recess I I1 and inlet passage II8 are cut off from the annular recess H9 and outlet passage I 20 by the lower piston I26, and recess I I9 and passage I20 are vented to the atmosphere through the ports I3I and the open, lower end of bore I25. When button I06 is depressed, against the pressure of spring I29, piston I26 passes below ports I3I, while piston I21 still remains above ports I30. Consequently, passage II8, an-.

nular recess H1, and ports I30 are connected with ports I 3|, annular recess H9, and passage I20, so that communication is established between pipe I02 and pipe I01, and the latter is cut off from its connection to the atmosphere.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the valve mechanism I04 is so located that, when the platencarrier 64 moves to printing position, the side thereof engages and depresses button I06, thereby establishing communication between pipe I02 and pipe I01, and cutting the latter oif from its connection to atmosphere. Hence, if at this time valve I00 is open, fluid pressure is admitted from the source through pipe 99, valve I00, pipe I02, valve I04, pipe I01 and port 41, to the space in cylinder 42 below piston 43, thus forcing said piston upwardly against the pressure of spring 48, and thereby projecting the platen, and the material held thereon by the operator, against the selected type to take an impression therefrom on said material. It is to be noted that the fluid pressure mechanism cannot act in this way until platen-carrier 64 has been moved to printing position, so that it will depress button I06.

As shown diagrammatically in Fig. 7, a branch pipe I08 leads from the pipe I01 to one end of a cylinder I09. A piston IIO works in this cylinder and is connected to a piston rod II2, which projects from the opposite end of the cylinder and has a head II 3 thereon, in position to engage and depress the button I03 of valve I00, when the piston has been moved by fluid pressure to one end of cylinder I09. A spring 2' is interposed between one end of the cylinder and piston IIO, tending to move the piston H0 and rod II2 away from button I03. A needle valve III is provided in branch pipe I08, for controlling the size of the aperture through which fluid pressure may be admitted to cylinder I09, thus controlling the rate of admission of fluid pressure to said cylinder. When fluid pressure is admitted through pipe I01 to cylinder 42, it is also admitted through pipe I08, to cylinder I09, and moves piston IIO IOI. PRINTING.

team boom and rod H2, against the pressure of spring H2, until the head H3 engages and depresses the button I03. This closes the connection between the source of fluid pressure and pipe I02, and connects pipe I02 with the atmosphere through exhaust passage IOI, so that both cylinders 42 and I09 are vented to the atmosphere. As a result, spring 48 presses piston 43 downwardly, thus moving platen GI and the material held thereon away from the selected printing type, and, at the same time, spring H2 moves piston H0 to the right (Fig. '7) to permit the button I03 again to be projected by its spring. When this happens, communication is established again between pipe I02 and the source of fluid pressure, so that piston 43 is raised again against the pressure of spring 48, to carry the platen and the material held thereon against the selected type to take an impression therefrom, and piston H0 is moved again to the left (Fig. 7) until head I I3 engages and depresses the button I03, to cut off once more the connection between pipe I02 and the source of fluid pressure. As a result, as long as the platencarrier remains in printing osition, the platen and the material held thereon will be raised repeatedly toward and withdrawn from the printing type, so that the mark is made on the material by repeated hammer-like blows of the platen. The needle valve I I I may be adjusted to control the rate at which fluid pressure enters cylinder I09 and, thus, control the timing of these repeated operations of piston 43.

From the description of the parts heretofore given, the operation of my improved laundry marking machine should be very readily understood. In the normal position of the platencarrier, the platen insert 6| is accessible to the operator, at the front of the machine. The operator stretches the garment, or other material to be marked, over the upper face of this platen insert, holding it there while he grasps the handles 59. Pressing rearwardly on these handles, he, then, rocks the platen-carrier from normal to printing position, overcoming the pressure of springs 9| until the parts have passed dead center, when the springs complete the movement of the platen-carrier to printing position, and hold it there. During this rocking of the platen-carrier, the roller 69 of the inking device has rolled over the faces of the selected type, applying ink thereto, and the platen-carrier has moved until the platen insert 6I is opposite the selected type, as shown in Fig. 6. As soon as the platen-carrier reaches printing position, it depresses button I06, admitting fluid pressure to cylinder 42 to raise piston 43 against the pressure of spring 48 and, thus, carry the material held on platen insert 6I against the face of the selected and inked type, to take an impression on said material therefrom. As has been described, the platen will be repeatedly raised and lowered while the platen-carrier remains in printing position holding button I06 of valve I04 depressed. When the marking is completed, the operator pulls forwardly on handles 59. overcomin the pressure of springs 9| until dead center has been passed, when said springs complete the movement of the platen-carrier to normal position, and the material marked can then be removed and fresh material placed and held on the platen by the operator.

In Figs. 10 to 13, inclusive, I have shown a modified form of my invention, which differs from that shown in Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, only in that it is provided with a safety feature which prevents the operation of the platen-projecting mechanism when the operator' hands are between the platen and the printing type. In this modified form, the bottom plate 38 is not provided With the port 41, through which fluid pressure is admitted to cylinder 42, but does have a concave recess I48 in its upper surface, substantially at the point where the port 41 was located in the other form of the device. The piston rod 44 has a passage I41 extending longitudinally thereof and communicating with a longitudinal passage I41 formed in bracket 54 and the threaded stud 53. In this modified form of my invention, the platen I34 is rovided with integral handle portions I35 and I36, respectively, and it is secured to bracket 54 by screws I34. As in the preferred form, the platen carries the rectangular platen insert BI, of resilient material, for yieldingly pressing the material to be marked against the selected type in taking an impression therefrom.

One of the studs H5 has a passage I33 extending longitudinally thereof, which communicates with a chamber I31 formed in platen I34. As shown in Fig. 13, chamber I31 is connected by passage I38 with an annular recess I39 in the handle I36 and the adjacent annular recess I40, in said handle I36, is connected'by a passage I4I, extending longitudinally of the platen, with an annular recess I42 in the handle I35. An adjacent annular recess I43, in said handle I35, is connected by a passage I44 to a central chamber I45, which connects with the passage I46, in line with and communicating with the said passage I41 in the bracket 54 and stud 53. A valve mechanism, similar in construction to valve I04 shown in Fig. 9, is mounted in each of the handle portion of the platen, and each valve mechanism includes a spring-pressed button I06, normally projected outwardly by a spring I29. These valves are normally closed, since the ports I30 and I3I are sealed on from each other by the innermost of the two pistons of the valve. Accordingly, the annular recesses I39 and I40 of the handle I36 are cut oft from each other, when the valve is in its normal closed position, and, likewise, communication is out 01f between the annular recesses I42 and I43 of the handle I35, when the button I06 of the valve in that handle i in its normal position. But, when both buttons I06 are depressed, against the pressure of their springs I29, the ports I30 and I3I are in communication with each other and, consequently, annular recess I39 is connected to annular recess I 40, and annular recess I43 is connected to annular recess I 42.

The bores in which these valves are mounted are connected to atmosphere through the exhaust passages I49 and I50, formed in the platen.

In this modified form of my invention, pipe I01, instead of being connected to port 41, is connected by pipe I32 to the lower end of the passage I33 in stud H5. Accordingly, when the platen-carrier is in printing position so that the valve I04 is open, fluid pressure may pass through pipe I32 and passage I33 into chamber I31 and, thence, through passage I38 to annular recess I39 in the handle I36. If button I06 is pressed inwardly, recess I39 will be connected to annular recess I40, which in turn is connected by passage I4I to annular recess I42 in the handle I35. If button I06 of the corresponding valve is pressed inwardly, annular recess I42 will be connected to annular recess I43, which in turn is connected thr'ough P ssa chamber I45 and passages I46, I41 and I41 to the interior of cylinder 42, below the piston 43. Accordingly, if valve I04 is open because the platen-carrier is in printing position depressing the button I06 thereof, and if both of the valves in the platen handles are open because of the buttons I06 thereof having been pressed inwardly, fluid pressure may flow from the source through pipe I01, pipe I32, and the passages heretofore traced in the platen, to the space in cylinder 42 below piston 43, thus lifting said piston against the pressure of spring 48, to move the platen I34 and platen insert 6| toward the selected type, pressing the. material held on the platen against said type to take an imprint therefrom. When the valve buttons I06 are in their normal projected positions, as shown in Figs. 11 and 13, the space below the piston 43 will be vented to the atmosphere through passages I41, I41, I46, chamber I45, passage I44, annular recess I43 and passage I50, and the annular recess I40 will be vented through the passage I49. As long as the platen-carrier remains in printing position, and the valves in the platen handles are held open by depression of buttons I06, the platen will be moved repeatedly toward and from the selected type, so as to make an imprint upon the material held thereon by repeated hammer-like blows f the platen.

The operation of the modified form of my invention should be quite apparent from the description given heretofore. In the modified form, the operator places the material to be marked over the platen insert 6|, holding it there while grasping the platen by the handles I35 and I36, and the buttons I06 of the handle valves are so located that the operator may depress them by the palms of his hands, while holding the material in place over the platen insert. Since it is necessary to depress the buttons I06, to cause the platen to be projected toward the type, the operator must keep his hands in such position that the palms will hold the buttons depressed and this requires that the hands be so located on the platen that they cannot get caught between the platen and the type, when the platen is moved toward the type.

When the modified form of my invention, including the handle control valves, is used, the normally-open valve I00, the cylinder I09 and the branch pipe I03 may be eliminated and the pipe 99 leading to the source of fluid pressure connected directly to the inlet of valve I 04. With this arrangement, repeated hammer-like blows of the platen against the type may be obtained by alternately depressing and releasing the control button I06 of the valve in handle I35, when the platen-carrier is in printing position.

I am aware that the laundry marking machine disclosed herein is susceptible of considerable variation without departing from the spirit of my invention and, therefore, I claim my invention broadly, as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a laundry marking machine including a type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a platen-carrier, means for rocking said platen-carrier from a normal to a printing position, a cylinder mounted on said platen-carrier, a piston working in said cylinder, a platen secured to said piston, and means, automatically actuated by movement of the platen-carrier to printing position, for admitting fluid pressure to said cylinder behind said piston to move the platen toward the selected ype.

2. In a laundry marking machine including a type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a platen-carrier, means for rocking said platen-carrier from a normal to a printing position, a cylinder mounted on said platen-carrier, a piston working in said cylinder, a platen secured to said piston, a valve controlling the admission of fluid pressure to said cylinder behind said piston to move the platen toward the selected type, and means for actuating said valve by movement of the platen-carrier to printing position.

3. In a laundry marking machine including a type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a platen-carrier movable from a normal, material-receiving position to a printing position, a cylinder mounted on said platen-carrier, a piston working in said cylinder, a platen secured to said piston and on which material to be marked may be placed when the platen-carrier is in normal position, and means for admitting fluid pressure to said cylinder behind said piston to move the platen with respect to the platen-carrier.

4. In a laundry marking machine including a type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a platen-carrier movable from a normal, material-receiving position to a printing position, a cylinder mounted on said platen-carrier, a piston working in said cylinder, a platen secured to said piston and on which material to be marked may be placed when the platen-carrier is in normal position, and means, automatically actuated by movement of the platen-carrier to printing position, for admitting fluid pressure to said cylinder behind said piston to move the platen with respect to the platen carrier.

5. In a laundry marking machine including a type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a platen-carrier movable from a normal, material-receiving position to a printing position, a platen carried thereby on which material to be marked may be placed, and means for repeatedly moving said platen to and from the selected type, while said platencarrier remains in printing position, said moving means including a timing device for determining the frequency of repeat operation.

6. In a laundry marking machine including a type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a platen-carrier movable from a normal, material-receiving position to a printing position, a platen carried thereby on which material to be marked may be placed, and means, automatically actuated by movement of the platen-carrier to printing position, for repeatedly moving said platen to and from the selected type, while the platen-carrier remains in printing position, said moving means including a timing device for determining the frequency of repeat operation.

7. In a laundry marking machine including a type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a platen-carrier movable from a normal to 'a printing position, a cylinder mounted on said platen-carrier, a piston working in said cylinder, a platen secured to said piston, and means for alternately admitting fluid pressure to and exhausting it from said cylinder, while said platen-carrier remains in printing position, said pressure admitting means including a timing device for determining the frequency of repeat operation.

In a laundry marking machine including a lull i'liiaimu,

type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a platen-carrier movable from a normal to a printing position, a platen carried thereby on which material to be marked may be placed when the platen-carrier is in normal position, a cylinder, a piston working therein, connections between said piston and said platen, and means for alternately admitting fluid pressure to and exhausting it from said cylinder, while the platen-carrier remains in printing position, said pressure admitting means including a timing device for determining the frequency of repeat operation whereby said platen is repeatedly moved to and from the selected type.

9. In a laundry marking machine including a type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a platen-carrier movable from a normal to a printing position, a platen carried thereby, a cylinder, a piston working therein, connections between said platen and said piston, whereby reciprocation of the latter in said cylinder moves the platen to and from the selected type, a source of fluid pressure, a line connecting said source with said cylinder, and a normally-closed valve in said line including a spring-pressed button, said button being so located as to be depressed by a part carried by the platen-carrier upon movement of said platen carrier to printing position, to open said valve and connect said source with the cylinder.

10. In a laundry marking machine including a type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a platen-carrier movable from a normal to a printing position, a platen carried thereby, a cylinder, a piston working therein, connections between said platen and said piston, whereby reciprocation of the latter in said cylinder moves the platen to and from the selected type, a source of fluid pressure, a line connecting said source with said cylinder, a normally-closed valve in said line including a spring-pressed button so located as to be depressed by movement of the platen-carrier to printing position, to open said valve and connect said source with the cylinder, a normally-open valve in said line between the source and the normally-closed valve, and means, actuated by the opening of the first-named valve, to close the second-named valve and cut off the supply of fluid pressure to said cylinder.

11. In a laundry marking machine including a type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a platen-carrier movable from a normal to a printing position, a platen carried thereby, a cylinder, 2. piston working therein, connections between said platen and said piston, whereby reciprocation of the latter in said cylinder moves the platen to and from the selected type, a source of fluid pressure, a line connecting said source with said cylinder, a threeway valve in said line normally cutting off said source from said cylinder and connecting the latter to atmosphere, said valve including a springpressed button so located as to be depressed by movement of the platen-carrier to printing position, whereby to cut off the connection between the cylinder and atmosphere and connect said source of fluid pressure to the cylinder, a normally-open three-way valve in said line between said source and the first-named valve, normally connecting the inlet thereof to said source and cutting it of! from atmosphere, and timing means, set in operation by the opening of the first-named valve, and acting to close said second-named valve at the end of a predetermined interval, whereby oe-arcn Room to cut off said source from the inlet of the firstnamed valve and connect said inlet to atmosphere.

12. In a laundry marking machine including a type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a platen-carrier movable from a normal to a printing position, a platen carried thereby, a cylinder, a piston working therein, connections between said platen and said piston, whereby reciprocation of the latter in said cylinder moves the platen to and from the type, a sourc of fluid pressure, a line connecting said source with said cylinder, a normally-closed valve in said line, a normally-open valve in said line, a second cylinder, a second piston working therein, said line having a branch extending to said second cylinder from a point between the normally-closed valve and the flrst-named cylinder, means, actuated by movement of the platen-carrier to printing position, for opening the normally-closed valve to admit fluid pressure to both said cylinders, and means, actuated by movement of said second piston, for closing said normallyopen valve to cut off both said cylinders from said source of fluid pressure and exhaust them to atmosphere.

13. In a laundry marking machine including a type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a platen-carrier rockable about an axis from a normal to a printing position, a platen carried thereby, on which the material to be marked may be placed when the platen-carrier is in normal position, means, effective when the platen-carrier is in printing position, for moving the platen with respect thereto to carry material thereon against the selected type, a supporting member, an abutment carried thereby, and a spring interposed between said abutment and the platen-carrier, whereby movement of the latter from normal position will compress said spring until the platen-carrier nears printing position when the spring will expand to force the platen-carrier to printing position.

14. In a laundry marking machine including a type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a platen-carrier rockable about an axis from a normal to a printing position, a platen carried thereby, on which the material to be marked may be placed when the platen carrier is in normal position, means, effective when the platen-carrier is in printing position, for moving the platen with respect thereto to carry material thereon against the selected type, a supporting member, a guide pivoted thereon, a rod pivotally connected to the platen-carrier and slidable in said guide, and a spring on said rod interposed between said guide and the platen-carrier, the rocking of said platen-carrier from normal to printing position causing the pivot connecting said rod and the platen-carrier to cross the line drawn from the center of the guide pivot to the axis about which the platen-carrier rocks, whereby said spring first opposes and their assists the rocking movement of the platen carrier.

15. In a laundry marking machine including a type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a rockable platencarrier, a platen carried thereby, an inking device mounted thereon, means for rocking said platencarrier in one direction from a normal to a printing position and return, whereby said inking device is carried over the face of the selected type to ink the same, a pivotally mounted member, a link connecting said member to the platen-can rier, and a releasable detent restraining said member from pivotal movement, whereby upon release of said detent the platen-carrier may be swung from normal position to a position in which the inking device is accessible.

16. In a laundry marking machine including a type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a rockable platencarrier, a platen carried thereby, an inking device mounted thereon, means for rocking said platencarrier in one direction from a normal to a printing position and return, whereby said inking device is carried over the face of the selected type to ink the same, a pivotally mounted member, a guide journaled thereon, a rod pivotally connected to the platen-carrier and slidable in the guide, means limiting movement of the rod in said guide in one direction, and a releasable detent restraining said member from pivotal movement, whereby upon release of said detent the platencarrier may be swung from normal position to a position in which the inking device is accessible.

17. In a laundry marking machine including a type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a platen on which material to be marked may be held by the operator, fluid pressure means for moving the platen toward the selected type to take an imprint therefrom on said material, a safety control valve carried by said platen, and connections between said valve and said means whereby said valve controls the admission of fluid pressure to said means to move the platen toward the type.

18. In a laundry marking machine including a type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a platen on which material to be marked may be held by the operator, fluid pressure means for moving the platen toward the selected type to take an imprint therefrom on said material, a normally-closed valve carried by said platen, an operating member therefor accessible to the operator when holding material on sai platen, and connections between said valve and said means whereby the opening of said valve admits fluid pressure to said means to move the platen toward the type.

19. In a laundry marking machine including a type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a platen on which material to be marked may be held by the operator, fluid pressure means for moving the platen toward the selected type to take an imprint therefrom on said material, a pair of normally-closed valves carried by said platen, one at each end thereof, operating members for said valves accessible to the hands of the operator when holding material on said platen, and connections between said valves and said means whereby the opening of both said valves admits fluid pressure to said means to move the platen toward the t '53. In a laundry marking machine including a type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a platen on which material to be marked may be held by the operator, fluid pressure means for moving the platen toward the selected type to take an imprint therefrom on said material, said platen having an inlet passage connected with a source of fluid pressure, a transfer passage and an outlet passage connected with said fluid pressure means, a normally-closed valve carried by said platen and adapted when opened to connect said inlet passage to said transfer passage, a second normallyclosed valve carried by said platen and adapted when opened to connect said transfer passage to said outlet passage, and operating members carried at the ends of said platen and adapted to open said valves, whereby pressure on both said operating members admits fluid pressure to said means to move the platen toward the selected type.

21. In a laundry marking machine including a type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a platen-carrier, a cylinder carried thereby, a piston working in said cylinder, 2. piston rod connected to said piston, a platen carried by said piston rod and having an inlet passage, 3, transfer passage, and an outlet passage, said piston rod having a passage therethrough connecting said outlet passage with the interior of said cylinder, means connecting said inlet passage to a source of fluid pressure, 2, normally-closed valve carried by the platen and adapted when open to connect said inlet passage to said transfer passage, a second normally-closed valve carried by the platen and adapted when open to connect said transfer passage and said outlet passage, and operating members at opposite ends of said platen adapted to open said valves, whereby pressure on both said operating members causes admission of fluid pressure to said cylinder.

22. In a laundry marking machine including a type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a platen-carrier movable from a normal to a printing position and return, a platen carried thereby on which material to be marked may be held by the operator, fluid pressure means for moving the platen toward the selected type to take an imprint therefrom on said material, said platen having an inlet passage therein, connections between a source of fluid pressure and said inlet passage including a normally-closed valve automatically opened by movement of said platen-carrier to printing position, and a pair of valves carried by said platen and controlling the flow of fluid pressure from said inlet passage to said fluid pressure means.

23. In a laundry marking machine including a type assembly adapted to locate type at printing position, the combination of a platen-carrier movable from a normal to a printing position and return, a platen carried thereby on which material to be marked may be held by the operator, said platen having an inlet passage, a transfer passage and an outlet passage, fluid pressure means connected to said outlet passage for moving the platen toward the selected type to take an imprint therefrom on said material, connections between a source of fluid pressure and said inlet passage including a normally-closed valve, automatically opened by movement of said platencarrier to printing position, a second normallyclosed valve carried by said platen and adapted when open to connect said inlet passage to said transfer passage, a third normally-closed valve carried by said platen and adapted when open to connect said transfer passage to said outlet passage, and operating members carried at the ends of said platen and adapted to open said second and third valves, whereby pressure on both said operating members, when said platen-carrier is in printing position, admits fluid pressure to said means to move the platen toward the selected type.

WILLIAM J. KEUPER. 

